Family Christmas traditions

BY CLAIRE HILL

When you have a new baby, there are lots of exciting firsts – first smile, first steps, first words. There’s also the first Christmas – a chance to set new traditions.

I remember my husband and I discuss­ing what our family traditions would be. There was a buzz of excitement in the air. One of the decisions we faced was, “What type of Santa stocking will our children use and where will they put it?”

My husband grew up in northern England where his Santa stocking was a football sock. He would lay it on top of the sofa, and Father Christmas would fill it with goodies – including a mandarin, a sugar mouse and a gold coin.

 By contrast, I grew up in the inner west of Sydney, where we put empty pillow­cases on the ends of our beds. When we went to sleep the pillowcases were flat, but when we woke up, they were plump – full of presents.

After some pleasant negotiations, my husband and I decided our children would place small, red Santa sacks on the back of the sofa.

New traditions

Over the years, our family has set up a variety of Christmas traditions. They have bonded us, focused us on Jesus, passed on values and brought us deep joy.

I don’t know about you, but some­times when I hear about other people’s Christmas activities, I get tempted to do those too! In December, pictures of happy families pour into my Facebook feed.

I see photos of one friend making gingerbread houses with her children. There is flour everywhere, but the smiles are giant. What a precious memory for the children!

As I scroll on, I see a family visiting the Christmas exhibition at Sydney’s Queen Victoria Building. The children marvel at the magnificent centrepiece – a 20-metre-tall tree that covers three floors. Their little faces are lit up by the lights and it looks magical.

So many wonderful ideas. Part of me wants to do them all! Christmas is such a special time, and I want my kids to enjoy it to the full. I want them to build up memories they will treasure forever.

But I know that trying to tick off every Christmas activity under the sun would be super stressful. Not to mention unaffordable! And, if I’m honest, I have found that when it comes to Christmas activities, it’s about quality rather than quantity.

I recently sat down with my kids and asked them which of our Christmas traditions they love. Miss 8 loves “the night when we visit the Christmas lights and get Macca’s ice creams on the way home.” Master 11 loves “decorating the tree while the carols play.” When I think about these annual moments, my whole heart smiles. They are times when the four of us are together, relaxed and undistracted. Quality time.

Parenting expert Maggie Dent says family traditions are very important. They “have a secret capacity to bond and strengthen loving connections.” But Maggie stresses that “it’s not about what we do – it is about how we be.”

This is such a helpful reminder as Christmas rushes closer. We can create priceless memories by spending time with those we care about – and it doesn’t need to cost anything. Looking at shop windows together, stroll­ing down the street saying ‘Happy Christmas’ to those we see, lounging on a picnic rug at a carols event, sitting side by side in church – no matter what traditions we choose, slowing down and connecting with each other is key.

So, this Christmas, I will resist the urge to do more. Instead, I will savour the traditions we have – keeping the focus on Jesus and connecting with family.

And I will relax, knowing that that is enough.